Ed

Thanks Stephen. There is a (1) showing. I don't know whether that indicates it has not been read or did not go through. ??

I sent a pm a few days ago and have received no reply. Don't know if it is a problem or the other party has not opened it yet ??

I am sure Guido is much more in tune with the actual laws regarding import, export. However, it is my understanding, via several dealers in Japan, that the government was indeed very strict on "dealers" when it comes to abiding to the regulations regarding import, export. Yet, if you as a visitor purchase a sword or two and ship them home yourself, it was not necessary. For one thing it takes approximately two weeks for export processing, and most tourist do not have this time to wait. There are dealers who do not adhere to the rules, but eventually it will catch up with them. You as an individual who receives a sword with the registration has nothing to worry about.

To one and all: HAPPY NEW YEAR

Brian, Look again, I think that's a set.

Here's wishing one and all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope you have all been good boy's because Santa's not feeling so well this year. Here is his replacement.

THAT'S IT !! That is the one I remembered. You da man !! I think you should change your name from Nobody to "Don Corleone". Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Henry, Contacted a friend who has one, but he is not ready to part with it.

Henry, I am almost certain that was it. I know I had it bookmarked, but damned if I can locate it. Koichi San, I must confess at first I was stumbling along with the one you linked to. However, even after your instructions it still will not show anything in the box. ????

Hi Guys, Thank you for the links. Neither is the one I remember, but it may no longer exist. I will have to play with the second one a bit, as it didn't want to work for me either. Piers, The one you sent will likely do, but I would like to check out the links to the software you referred to. My Thanks, again.

...the web site on soshu or grass script ??? Way back someone had posted a link to a site which gave soshu script examples of kanji. I seemed to have lost it, and have burned up my damn mouse looking for it. Any body out there remember it, know if it still exists or better yet, have the link to it ???? Arigato Gozaimasu.

When I purchased this one in Japan it was referred to as a "Nata" which translates loosely as Hatchet. This would correlate with the term Hanakiri tanto or flower cutting tanto. I was told only the upper class were allowed to own them, but I can not confirm this. Judging from the examples I have seen they range widely in quality. As far as why swordsmiths made them, I would suspect the reasons were simple. Custom order surely, response to an en vogue demand, nothing better to do, etc., etc. In regards to kanteisho, they were made by swordsmiths and I suppose their work could be authenticated just as a sword. A koshirae was necessary for any functional edged weapon or tool. Even modern day knives and hatchets have a handle and a leather or nylon sheath. I would surmise the price of this one is directly related the the name Naotane. The koshirae is unusual and nice. For more photos of this one: http://yakiba.com/nata.htm

I shipped a sword to Japan today via the USPS, as I have on numerous occasions, without difficulty. If this sword is an antique and unless your friend barged up to the counter declaring he was in possession of a weapon, I don't know why he was denied. Japan does not import weapons. However, they do allow the import of art and antiques. Is the sword in question an antique ?? If it is a modern reproduction then the rules are different.

He lives in Texas. You can e-mail me for Mikes e-mail address if Peter doesn't provide it first.

Reading this post I am amazed by the amount of speculation contained herein. There is no way one could confirm the validity of this mei or the quality/value of this sword based on the photos provided. It could be a valuable sword, the key words here being "could be". It could be a potentially valuable sword with fatal flaws which would render it worthless, the key words here are "could be". The mountings do look newer, but that too means nothing. Could be it was remounted at a later date, again "could be". Could be if cows sh*t buttermilk there would be no need for a churn. Some of you need to return to Earth and clear the fog which seems to have overcome ye. You remind me of Pavlov's dog. Hawley's lists over 100 "kuniyoshi" smiths. Granted without much difficulty quite a few could be eliminated. However, we could speculate forever, but the only way to know with relative certainty is via shinsa. It's condition based on the photos would seem to indicate a need for polish prior to shinsa. That means along with turn around time for polish, polish(and it's risks) and shinsa fees, add shirasaya and most likely new habaki to your initial investment equals several thousand dollars, time and risk. Granted it does have possible potential, but judging only from the photos provided and without at least the benefit of "in hand" inspection is pointless. Bottom line it needs to be inspected in hand to evaluate whether or not it warrants polish. If so, polished in order to evaluate whether or not it's condition warrants Shinsa. If so, sent to shinsa for an accurate determination and or legitimacy of the mei which will aid in determining potential value.

Geez Milt, you call that an explanation. Jean-Luc, Jean-Luc Picard was the Captain of the USS Enterprise on the TV show Star Trek. Shinsa: The sword museum in Tokyo, the NBTHK, offers a service called "shinsa" where you can send your tsuba to have the "experts" determine the school, maker, or determine whether a signature (mei) is authentic or not. The fee for this service total runs approx. $300 USD. Yagyu was a school of Japanese swordsmanship. They designed their own tsuba and these have become know as Yagyu tsuba. It is highly unlikely that your tsuba is an original Yagyu tsuba, however it may have been made with this design as a reference. This does not mean your tsuba is a cheat or fake, just that it is not an original "Yagyu" Your tsuba does need to be cleaned, but I doubt that it is worth professional restoration. Following is a link on how to clean iron tsuba, if you must. Please note it is very time consuming and labor intensive. You would most likely be better off leaving it as is. http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ejggilbert/Cleaning.htm

Someone else had sent me that link previously asking my thoughts. First I want to make it clear that I do not know this person nor am I trying to indicate anything specifically wrong with this yari. Like Joe Friday, I will stick to the facts only. The photos are not sufficient to portray it's condition without question. It seems to be in pretty good polish, but with no close ups who knows. The listing states it is ubu, yet there are no photos of the nakago aside from the one on the papers (and it does not show the entire nakago). The seller himself has been a member of e-bay since 2000 but he only has 14 feedbacks and his last feedback was in 2001. All were from sellers, no buyers. I have never bought a sword on e-bay, but even if I was to consider it, I think paranoia or the facts would prevent this from being the one.

I was pretty sure that was the smith, but could not find an oshigata example to compare it to. Yes, is is a nicely cut mei, in fact the whole sword is in good condition as are the 44-45 mounts. Thank you very much for your time.

Hi all, I recently acquired a star stamped gendaito and translating the mei is giving me a hard time. I look like this guy trying to read it . I know it is Masa Hiro saku , but the rest is foreign to me (pun intended) Dr. Steins site list a "Hitachi Shishi do Isobe Masahiro", but i am unfamiliar with these characters. If one of you guys can read it, and share the reading with me, I would be much obliged. Arigato gozaimasu

While catching up on some of these posts I have not had time to read, I saw this one. Max, just curious as whether or not you have received your sword and when you were going to post additional photos and/or what you think of it. They are quite difficult to come by, and personally I have only seen in hand two, and photos of two others(both in this thread). The Gassan Darcy posted was just phenominal, in fact I attempted to purchase it, but was too late. While we are waiting on Max for some photos I will share another with you guys. Unfortunately, I do not have any decent photos of it. The double edge gives me fits, and I can not seem to shoot any worthwhile photos (I hope to have Darcy photograph it at some point). I am including the oshigata of it from when it was featured in the NTHK's "Token-To Rekishi". It was polished, papered and has sayagaki by Yoshikawa Sensei.

Christies London "Japanese Art & Design" Auction, #7582 is being held May 14, 2008. Considerable number of swords (45) with some big names being offered. Names like Go Yoshihiro, Rai Kunimitsu, Kotetsu, etc., etc. Here is the link for those who wish to take a look: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/searchresults.aspx?intSaleID=21503#intSaleID=21503

Rick, Sorry, I thought I sent you the following info: The papers list it's design as "Toryumon zu", which loosely translates as "to overcome great obstacles". This is generally seen in the motif of a carp swimming up a waterfall.

I don't have a phone #, but as a last resort his snail mail address is: Van Damme Zenon 29 Sint-Andiesdreef 8200, Bruges Belgium

This years Florida Token Kai seems to have been successful for the most part. They were many dealers and pretty good crowds despite the looming recession. There were table after table of swords, tsuba, fittings and various related items. The bigger dealers were there such as Bushido, Nihonto.com, Nihonto.us, Masamune Swords, with incredible swords and fittings. Many other dealers attended as well, all with great merchandise and prices. There were also an abundance of private collectors in attendance selling some top quality pieces. Swords which included Hizen, Gassan, Rai swords. Tsuba and fittings including Goto, Higo, Akasaka, Bushu, Choshu, Omori etc., etc. Several of the NMB's own along with myself were in attendance. Barry Hennick, with some great Hizen swords as well as fittings, inro, etc.. Curran was there with an awesome Juyo sword and many high end fittings. Pete attended and had many beautiful tsuba. There were a few others also such as Quang, Grey and Mark. That is all I can think of for now, sorry if I missed anyone. Personally, though I did not bring an abundance of merchandise, it was a sell out. In the closing minutes it became quite interesting as I was selling Vegas style, ie; make an offer and we flip for your (reasonable) offer or my price. I must thank Barry Hennick for giving me a "lucky" nickel, which provided me with nothing but wins. Hands on exhibits and lectures were provided by the NBTHK/AB. The swords provided for our learning experience were all Juyo pieces with the exception of one which is Juyo quality. They included Bizen Kagehide (c. 1265), Bizen Chikakage (c. 1325), Ko-Bizen Tomomasa (c. 1200), Fukuoka Ichimonji (c. 1250), and Enju Kunisuke (c. 1275). The Goto Fittings lecture and exhibit by Jim Gilbert was also impressive and informative. A number of early Goto artisans were represented for our scrutiny. The examples included 2nd gen. Sojo(1461-1538), 5th gen. Tokujo (1550-1631), 7th gen Kenjo (1586-1663), etc.. Jim is relentless in his studies and is a valuable asset to the collecting community. He is always willing to share information and his lectures are always elucidative. After hours it was wine, women and song. Seriously, lots of good food, drink and camaraderie. For a few photos follow the link: http://yakiba.com/florida_tokenkai_08.htm The NBTHK/AB and JSS/US need your continued support in order to continue and improve these exhibits and lectures, as well as continue their translations and publications of related literature. Join now: NBTHK/AB: http://nbthk-ab.org/nbthkapplication.pdf JSS/US: http://www.jssus.org/

You are right bidding was ended, bids cancelled. Maybe someone was messing with his auction, maybe he sold it outside the bay. ??????????? And again I was not nor am not trying to place fault or suspicion on the seller. My only question was in regards to the high bid sight unseen. :? I thought it seemed strange a sword would bid up that high without a single photo.